The 2010 Lafite Rothschild, a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon and 13% Merlot (a 3% difference from the barrel sample shown two years ago), achieved relatively high alcohol of 13.32%, according to administrator Charles Chevalier. The wine is very impressive, not as fleshy, flamboyant and massive as the 2009, but nevertheless, a big, rich, full-throttle Lafite-Rothschild meant to age a half century or more. Deep purple, with notes of white chocolate, mocha, cedar and charcoal as well as hints of vanillin and creme de cassis, the wine is full-bodied yet has that ethereal lightness that makes it a Lafite. Rich, with good acidity, precision and freshness, this is a slightly zestier version of the 2009 as well as more restrained and structured than that particular vintage. It will need at least 10-12 years of cellaring and keep for 50+ years.
Wine Spectator 2013 (97 Punkte)
Rather tight, with an alluring whiff of cocoa that lures you in before disappearing into the core of steeped plum, roasted fig and blackberry coulis notes. Sandalwood, black tea and loam elements fill in on the long and expansive finish. This seems to be lying in wait for what could be a very long time in the cellar before unfurling fully. Best from 2018 through 2045. 15,833 cases made. –JM
René Gabriel (20 Punkte)
87.2 % Cabernet Sauvignon, 12.8 % Merlot. Extrem dunkles Purpur mit lila und violetten Reflexen. Dramatisches Cabernetbouquet, nicht heiss, nicht warm, sondern floral, frisch und direkt, just à point, Heidelbeerennoten und Lakritze, darunter schwarze Edelhölzer und Tabak. Perfekter Gaumen, schon ersten Schmelz über den angerundeten, feinen Gerbstoffen zeigend, parfümiert im Innern, die Adstringenz ist schon fast delikat, intensiver, royaler Nachklang. Hier gibt es nicht zu meckern, sondern nur neidlos zu bewundern. Ein legendärer Lafite der Sonderklasse. Charles Chevalier: "Das ist die grosse Klassik, nicht zuletzt deshalb weil er vom Alkoholgehalt fast schon ein ganz normaler Lafite ist, wir sind bei ca. 13.5 Volumenprozenten gelandet. Also eine eher beruhigende Situation im Vergleich zu gewissen Konkurrenten."
